Activity and Stability of Proteases in Hydrophilic Solvents

Lars Haastrup Pedersen, Sinthuwat Ritthitham and Morten Kristensen 

In order to achieve an optimal process the solvent must solubiHze the reactants, while at the same time maintaining enzyme activity. For synthesis of biosurfactants hydrophilic solvents are good solvents of both hydrophilic carbohydrates and hydrophobic acyl donors, but are known as denaturants of most proteins. Reduced 

Modem Biocatalysis Stereoselective and Environmentally Friendly Reactions. Edited by Wolf-Dieter Fessner and Thorleif Andionsen Copyright 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH Co. KGaA, Weinheim ISBN 978-3-527-32071-4 

Protease- and lipase-catalyzed sugar ester synthesis has been reviewed by Plou et al. [4] and Kennedy et al. [5], whereas specific reviews on proteases in organic solvents and industrial utilization of alkaline proteases were compiled by Bordusa [6] and Gupta et al. [7], respectively. 

The aim of the present chapter is to give a brief overview of protease-catalyzed synthesis of sugar esters in hydrophilic solvents and to present some of the most recent investigations on the effect of these solvents on activity and stability of proteases. Consequently, the perspectives in solvent engineering are outlined with focus on hydrophilic solvents and ionic liquids. 

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